This week’s webcast celebrated the successful completion of another StartupBus competition and return of the team from #StartupBusFL which traveled from Tampa to the annual SXSW tech / music fest in Austin.
Joining Commissioner @MarkSharpeFL this week:
Stephanie Ashley @HillsboroughFL #EDI2 program
Taylor Wallace @TayWall
Mitch Neff @MitchNeff
Joy Randels @Joy_Randels
Justin Davis @JWD2A
On the heels of the most recent Google Fiber announcement, this week’s Startup Tampa Bay webcast discussed what makes a region attractive to big tech initiatives.
Echoing previous webcasts was the notion that if you want to build a more sustainable tech ecosystem the entrepreneurs have to lead the discussion. Baby Boomer-based #economicdevelopment is no longer a viable strategy for Florida and refocusing our efforts on the infrastructure that attracts and inspires startup founders is the only hope for creating a sustainable tech ecosystem here in Tampa Bay. The #EDI2 program sponsored by @MarkSharpeFL is a start, but everyone unanimously agreed that it is not up to government to make this a success.
@MarkSharpeFL ‘s guests this week include: Jordan Raynor from @Citizenvestor Kyle Mathews of @ModMyi Joy Randels of @StartupGrindTB Heather Kenyon of @TBTF
Commissioner @MarkSharpeFL leads a discussion about startups, transportation and changes needed in public policy to help advance the Tampa Bay economy and tech ecosystem.
The last Startup Tampa Bay webcast for 2013 welcomed Professor Any Gold @profandygold to talk about the @HCCFL entrepreneurship program and the positive impact Hillsborough County’s #EDI2 economic development program is having on the local tech ecosystem.
Also participating in this week’s @BuddyBrewCoffee tech ecosystem roundtable:
Commissioner @MarkSharpeFL hosted this week’s webcast on startups and technology-based economic development in the Tampa Bay area. The usual list of guests discussed what it takes to nurture and attract talent and what tech jobs are in demand. We also had a guest highlight some of the activities planned for the centennial celebration of the first commercial airline flight which originated in Tampa Bay in January of 1914.
The webcast crowd this week included:
@MarkSharpeFL – Commissioner & Chariman of the Hillsborough County Commission @Fritz_HotSpaces – Fritz Eichelberger, Founder HotSpaces.net Executive Recruiting @HillsboroughFL – Stephanie Cvetetic Mgr EDI2 Program – hillsboroughcounty.org/edi2 @Joy_Randels – CEO of NewMarketPartners & local startup ecosystem expert @StartupMonkey – Product & strategy guru – economic development rabble-rouser
I guest hosted this week’s Startup Tampa Bay webcast while Commissioner @MarkSharpeFL was off making the rounds at various economic development events around the area including a FLENG summit on the use of automated vehicles.
This week’s discussion focused on the many events scheduled for Tampa Bay’s participation in Kauffman’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. We also welcomed the President of Tampa-based startup Karbon Arms, Matt Pliskin to the discussion.
